Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell and the cast of “A Different World” are heading to Atlanta for a 10-City HBCU tour.
The HBCU Tour celebrates the legendary TV sitcom’s 35-year legacy.
The HBCU tour is scheduled to kick off on February 29 at the prestigious Atlanta University Center – home to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
Other cities include Washington, DC (hosted by Howard University) and Montgomery, Alabama (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University), both in April.
A Different World ran on NBC for six seasons, from Sept. 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993.
The initial season centered around Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and her life as a freshman at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU in Virginia.
Bonet (bottom left) departed the show after the first season, as did Marisa Tomei (bottom right) and Loretta Devine (not pictured).
According to a press release, the tour will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reuniting Kadeem Hardison (who played Dwayne Wayne), Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson), and Emmy Award Winner Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert).Other cast members in the HBCU tour include Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis, Glynn Turman, and Sinbad.
Additionally, producers Susan Fales and the legendary Debbie Allen will make appearances.
“A Different World” was consistently ranked first or second among Black viewers during most of its 6-year run and is often cited as the defining reason why many decided to attend a HBCU.
Actor Glynn Turman (far left) was married for six years to the legendary Aretha Franklin, who sang the theme song for “A Different World.”
Actress Dawnn Lewis (2nd from left), who played Jaleesha Vinson-Taylor, co-wrote and composed the theme song for Franklin.
Actor Lou Myers (3rd from right), who played grumpy Mr. Vernon Gaines, died in 2013 at age 77.
The NBC series (now streaming on Max) followed students at Hillman College, a fictional historically black college in Virginia. It was inspired by student life at historically black colleges and universities.
Their mission goes beyond nostalgia. They’re on a quest to raise awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide. By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of “A Different World,” the cast aims to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes. Together with their presenting sponsor Cisco and premier finance partner Wells Fargo they are launching a scholarship program, ensuring that more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs.
